Chapter 3 Smart Girl

• The next morning I woke up early, put on one of my best outfits, combed my hair for more volume and did some light makeup. I would go to college to explain to my friends that I would need to drop out of school and then go looking for a job. And I wasn't in a position to choose much.
• When I arrived I went straight to the living room. I was pretty early so I could see everyone before class started and say goodbye. Soon Kim arrived. We hugged and he said:
• - Recovered from the club?
• - Ever. I said winking.
• - Why didn't you answer my messages yesterday? - he asked.
• - Kim, if you only knew everything that happened to me... - I said without being able to hide my sadness.
• - Then it begins, dear.
• - I don't even know where... Do you want me to start with the part where I'm leaving college or where I'm going to have to get a job to support the family?
• He widened his eyes wide and well defined with black eyeliner.
• - Like this?
• - That's right friend...
• I sat on the table and he did the same.
• - Your father again?
• - My father... Not again... Now it's the end. He lost everything... a lot more than we had. Including... The house.
• - But... How is it possible?
• - Because it's my life, friend. In it everything is possible and you know it.
• - Kat, did your father put the house you live in in check?
• - Yes... - I said a little awkwardly, but sincerely, because he was my friend for life. We were confidants, inseparable, nail and flesh.
• - I do not even know what to say.
• - There's nothing to say. I said sadly.
• - Is there nothing you can do to stay?
• - No... My mother has already decided that it will be like this.
• - And I bet Laura Lee doesn't think about calling Kevin to the responsibilities of the house, do you?
• - Of course. And I can't even blame him, because Kevin is reckless. It would only make him blame our father even more.
• - But... Your father is to blame, Kat.
• - Kim, you know I don't like to blame you. My father is everything to me.
• - How was Adolfo so inconsequential? Didn't think of you?
• - Kim, this is an addiction. He must have thought of us, but he was stronger than him.
• - I think Kevin is after his father. And you know I adore your father and I don't like your brother at all. And Laura, even charging you too much for everything, is a hardworking woman. I pity her sometimes.
• - Me too. That's why I try to understand her bad mood, her hurts, the sad life she insists on leading... And I don't always blame her for the way she treats my father.
• Soon Diana arrived. He greeted us and sat down. I didn't tell her all the details of what was going on, but I did announce that I would be dropping out of classes and looking for a job. Diana was discreet, didn't ask much, but warned:
• - You're in the third semester. You will hardly find a job in the administration field. It would have to be at least in sixth.
• - I know...
• - Why don't you try it with the dean?
• - Like this?
• - Could you explain the situation to him... Maybe he will sympathize and help you. I've heard stories of him getting a job within the college for some students who needed it.
• - I... I never thought about it. - I said hopefully. “But I'll try, today.
• Leo arrived next. Class was about to start. He gave me a quick kiss on the lips and said:
• - What there was? Is everything OK?
• - I need to go, Leo. Can we talk later?
• "Yes…" he said confused. - But if you can, Kim and Diana update you on what happened.
• - Meet at the secret club? – he said winking.
• - Late afternoon. - I confirmed.
• The secret club was a room we found inside the college where materials that were not used were kept, being a kind of storeroom. We found out that no one went there so my friends and I created a secret society called: “fall to the monarchy”. It was a place where we discussed how much we were against our country's system, led by Queen Anne Marie Chevalier, who didn't care about the lower classes. He focused on making the rich richer and richer and took what he could from the proletariat. Luckily my friends thought as I did.
• Leo was my almost boyfriend. I still hadn't accepted, although she had asked me several times. I liked him, but I thought it was more like a friend than a boyfriend. So every now and then we would go out together and exchange some hot kisses. He was handsome, intelligent and belonged to the C class. His family was well-off and had lots of property. He had gone to our college by choice, being able to be in class B, for example. He supported social causes and cared about people. If I didn't find someone I fell in love with, I thought about marrying him in the future. But first I would give myself a chance. I had never been in love before, although I had dated some boys and enjoyed my life quite a bit.
• When I got to the dean's office, there were a few people in front of me waiting to talk to him. I decided to wait. I could go out and look for a job, but if he could help me, he would avoid my walk from establishment to establishment and the possibility of spending my most expensive jump.
• After an hour of waiting, the secretary ordered me in. He was sitting comfortably in his chair, little interested in what I would say:
• - Speak up, Miss Lee. – he said without looking at me, focused on the papers in front of him.
• Dean Justus was a new man for the job. He couldn't have been more than 30 years old. He was held in high esteem by everyone and had a reputation for being against the monarchy, although no one was quite sure. I admired him for his determination to be there in that much-desired position.
• - Dean, I would like to see the possibility of getting a job within the university. - I said going straight to the point.
• He looked up from the papers and finally looked at me. He stared at me for a while, then said:
• - Direct, no?
• - Yes... What good would beating around the bush?
• - Do you know anything about the jobs offered here?
• - No. - I said sincerely. – But I know they exist.
• - In addition to the fixed monthly salary, there is an allowance for classes, which can reach a discount of almost 100% of the course value.
• I breathed a sigh of relief. I really didn't know about it. It was the opportunity of my life.
• - I... Glad to hear it. I'm a dedicated girl. I like to study. I think I can handle working and studying and doing both well. Could you give me a chance? - I said smiling gently.
• - Why do you want a job, Miss Lee? Financial problems?
• - Yea. - I confessed. “If I don't get the job, I'll have to drop out of school.
• "Um…" he said getting up from his seat and sitting on the table, standing right in front of me.
• I was a little uncomfortable and intimate with his presence so close to me. But I pretended that everything was fine.
• - You must not know that there are certain requirements for the job.
• - No... But I would like to know.
• - Do you really want to know? he asked, looking blatantly at my body, up and down.
• - Yes... - I said to see how far he would go.
• Dean Justus took his hand and placed it on my leg. I didn't say anything, I kept looking at him. He went up, turning into my thigh. When he almost reached his goal, I slammed my legs together, startling him. He took his hand away, confused.
• - Would that be the requirement? I asked ironically.
• - Could be... It's up to you.
• - So it means that by merit there is no job.
• - Not in your case... There is no merit.
• - Wouldn't you like to see my notes? Could open my file in seconds.
• - I don't really care about that...
• - Okay... I don't want the job anymore.
• He laughed:
• - I imagined. You can go out. – he said returning to his chair.
• I continued:
• - But I want a document from the university, like a letter of recommendation, that talks about my excellent grades and my good performance, also saying that they will always be waiting for my return.
• He laughed out loud, ironically:
• - You dreamed? This type of document does not exist.
• - I think it could exist for me, since I'm really an excellent student and I don't want to sleep with you to get a job in here.
• - I'm thinking of making a document, yes... Saying that you're a terrible student.
• - I think my colleagues in journalism would love to know what it takes to get a job here.
• - Are you threatening me, Miss Lee?
• - Of course not, Dean Justus. I just thought about what it would be like if everyone knew how everything works in here. I confess I was disappointed...
• - Me too... You could have the job, like I said.
• - But I don't want to sleep with you. I said ironically.
• - Go ahead, Miss Lee. The conversation is over.
• - I... I still need the document.
• - There is no document.
• - Well, then I'll have to disclose everything that happened in this room in the few minutes I've been here.
• He looked up and didn't seem to care much.
• - No one would believe you.
• I opened my bag and took out my cell phone and said:
• - Not on me, but on the audio I recorded with my cell phone, yes.
• He rose from the table nervously, running a hand over his head.
• - You recorded? Why did it?
• - Your stories are already known around, dean. - I lied.
• - And... How am I supposed to know that you won't pass on.
• - Give me the document and I'll show you the muted audio.
• He rang the secretary and requested a role as I requested. Several times he had to repeat it, as it really was a document never issued by the university. In a few minutes the secretary came in with my document in hand, which he signed and handed to me. I took out my cell phone, showed him the last inscription written “audio” on my phone. I deleted it and left without looking back. I was so nervous it felt like my legs wouldn't be able to walk, they were shaking so much. There was no audio. I had lied... and he had believed it. I don't even know what went through my head at that moment. But I was proud of myself. He had harassed me and in the end I was the victor. I felt nauseous at the thought of him touching me. I looked at the paper and hugged it. That opened a few more doors for me.